Sermon Tone Analysis

(NIV)

Jesus at a Pharisee’s House

14:8–10Ref—,

14 One Sabbath, when Jesus went to eat in the house of a prominent Pharisee, he was being carefully watched.

5 Then he asked them, “If one of you has a child or an ox that falls into a well on the Sabbath day, will you not immediately pull it out?” 6 And they had nothing to say.

7 When he noticed how the guests picked the places of honor at the table, he told them this parable: 8 “When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited.

9 If so, the host who invited both of you will come and say to you, ‘Give this person your seat.’

Then, humiliated, you will have to take the least important place.

10 But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, ‘Friend, move up to a better place.’

Then you will be honored in the presence of all the other guests.

11 For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

12 Then Jesus said to his host, “When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or sisters, your relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid.

13 But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, 14 and you will be blessed.

Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”

In the book of James we read a word of caution for teachers.

(NIV)

Taming the Tongue

3 Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.

2 We all stumble in many ways.

Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check.

This statement acknowledges that whether we like it or not, those who are in the public realm are judged by others.

Fans are always evaluating how athletes are performing or even heated exchanges on the sidelines.

Our president and other elected officials are constantly being commented on whether it be their personalities, policies, reactions to current events or even what they do on their free time.

A pastor would be a fool if he didn’t realize that the members of the congregation are carefully examining what he preaches and teaches.

In fact, as those who are taught by others, we are commanded to carefully examine what they have to say and whether or not their actions are in line with what they say.

(NIV)

On Denying the Incarnation

4 Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, 3 but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God.

This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.

(NIV)

True and False Prophets

15 “Watch out for false prophets.

They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.

16 By their fruit you will recognize them.

Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?

It should come as not surprise then that Jesus was also carefully watched.

Unfortunately, many of those times the ones doing the testing did not approve of him and were looking for ways to discredit him.

On this occasion they tested whether or not he would show mercy or follow the letter of the traditions regarding the Sabbath.

You may have noticed that our text skips several verses.

In those verses Jesus healed a man on the Sabbath.

(NIV)

53 When Jesus went outside, the Pharisees and the teachers of the law began to oppose him fiercely and to besiege him with questions, 54 waiting to catch him in something he might say.

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2 There in front of him was a man suffering from abnormal swelling of his body.

3 Jesus asked the Pharisees and experts in the law, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath or not?” 4 But they remained silent.

So taking hold of the man, he healed him and sent him on his way.

5 Then he asked them, “If one of you has a child or an ox that falls into a well on the Sabbath day, will you not immediately pull it out?” 6 And they had nothing to say.

At that same event, Jesus used the fact that people were paying attention to him to teach several important truths when it comes to interpersonal relationships.

His teachings were not unique to him but reinforced several axioms that are sometimes forgotten and bear repeating.

Axiom #1: Those who exalt themselves will be humbled and those who humble themselves will be exalted.

We heard this teaching in our OT lesson fro Proverbs.

(NIV)

6 Do not exalt yourself in the king’s presence,

and do not claim a place among his great men;

2 There in front of him was a man suffering from abnormal swelling of his body.

3 Jesus asked the Pharisees and experts in the law, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath or not?” 4 But they remained silent.

So taking hold of the man, he healed him and sent him on his way.

2 There in front of him was a man suffering from abnormal swelling of his body.

3 Jesus asked the Pharisees and experts in the law, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath or not?” 4 But they remained silent.

So taking hold of the man, he healed him and sent him on his way.

2 There in front of him was a man suffering from abnormal swelling of his body.

3 Jesus asked the Pharisees and experts in the law, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath or not?” 4 But they remained silent.

So taking hold of the man, he healed him and sent him on his way.

7 it is better for him to say to you, “Come up here,”

than for him to humiliate you before his nobles.

5 Then he asked them, “If one of you has a child or an ox that falls into a well on the Sabbath day, will you not immediately pull it out?” 6 And they had nothing to say.

5 Then he asked them, “If one of you has a child or an ox that falls into a well on the Sabbath day, will you not immediately pull it out?” 6 And they had nothing to say.

5 Then he asked them, “If one of you has a child or an ox that falls into a well on the Sabbath day, will you not immediately pull it out?” 6 And they had nothing to say.

We are reminded that there are certain people who are exalted in the eyes of others.

I already mentioned athletes and politicians.

Certain people have unique gifts that are above average and even superior to others.

Some people are more charismatic, intelligent, athletic, musical, funnier, etc. than others.

We do have a tendency to put them up on a pedestal.

You may recall that when Israel was looking for its first king that Saul was chosen because of his physical attributes and that when Samuel was sent to anoint the son of Jesse to replace him, he looked at the outward appearance.

We are reminded that there are certain people who are exalted in the eyes of others.

I already mentioned athletes and politicians.

Certain people have unique gifts that are above average and even superior to others.

Some people are more charismatic, intelligent, athletic, musical, funnier, etc. than others.

We do have a tendency to put them up on a pedestal.

You may recall that when Israel was looking for its first king that Saul was chosen because of his physical attributes and that when Samuel was sent to anoint the son of Jesse to replace him, he looked at the outward appearance.

Perhaps you have been given certain spiritual gifts that you excel at.

You use them to the glory of God and your fellow Christians recognize that and have even complimented you on your faithful service.

It is rewarding to be praised for what we do.

Although there were those who were jealous of Jesus and looked to discredit him, the book of Revelation teaches us that he is exalted and that in heaven he is worthy to receive glory.

(NIV)

11 Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand.

They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders.

12 In a loud voice they were saying:

“Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain,

to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength

and honor and glory and praise!”

13 Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying:

“To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb

be praise and honor and glory and power,

for ever and ever!”

14 The four living creatures said, “Amen,” and the elders fell down and worshiped.

The remarkable thing about Jesus is that during his earthly ministry, even though he has tremendous gifts and used them to teach, preach, heal, show compassion, etc. he conducted himself in a very humble and serving way.

(NIV)

5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:

6 Who, being in very nature God,